Newb - Multiple Questions

Dudebro · Faceplant Joined: 26 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Hey all,

I've been wakeboarding for three years, but I've always had a smaller wake (my boat is oldschool), so this season I figured I'd pick up a skate. So I just bought an 09 LF Impulse pretty cheap brand new online. Just got it in the mail today, getting excited about going up this weekend, Whoop!

I have a few questions: I already poked holes in the grip tape to put fins on because I was so excited, but I read on here that most people ride finless. I will definitely try both styles this weekend, because I read on multiple threads that it really is personal preference. My question is this : I don't need to seal up the holes in the grip tape where I poked through do I? Also, when I screw in the bolts to hold the fins on, they are not flush with the board. Is that going to be a problem? Should I use a chamfer tool to grind the wood down a bit to allow the bolts to go flush?

Also, I read on one post that the '09 Impulses needed to be "sealed." I know it is a wood board, but what sealant should I go buy? And How do I apply that with the grip tape and graphics on the bottom?

Lastly, I'm going to try to get some pretty decent ollies down this weekend, but what other tricks should I attempt to do this weekend? boardslides? Shuv-its? Etc... where's a good place to start?

Thanks for all your time, you guys rock. I'm getting pumped about getting into this sport.

mojo · Posted: Jul 26, 2010 10:47 pm Post subject:

start with riding around first and go from there

cheapskate · Backside 180 Joined: 09 Sep 2008 Posts: 1424 City: Baytown

ollie, ollie, ollie then you will be free Birthday

welcome to the stoke!

zip · Backside 180 Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 752 City: Sydney

yeah as mojo, said just cruize around and get a feel for the skate man........you will have a ball Very Happy

welcome to the worlds most addictive sport....if thats what you call it haha Birthday

Dudebro · Faceplant Joined: 26 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Right on, do I need to prep my board before its first use? Like sealing the board or anything?

originalfake · Pop Shuvit Joined: 16 Dec 2009 Posts: 159 City: orlando

i dont know anything about fins or sealing your board. but as far as riding goes, just get comfortable with your board. practice carving around, edging out into the flats, and riding switch. once youre 100% comfortable and you know how your board responds to everything, you can progress at your own natural rate. where are you located?

geissap · Pop Shuvit Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 142

This 3/4 of the page down there's a link to a sealant to buy. Slather on all wood...
http://www.wakeskating.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30723&start=0

RC · Backside 180 Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 1033

if that was my board i would:

Ungrip it.
Reseal the entire board. over graphics, where the grip was, all over that beech.
fill the fin holes with caulk, candle wax, whatev.
and regrip it.

then throw Smash

's

Dudebro · Faceplant Joined: 26 Jul 2010 Posts: 3

Is that honestly even necessary? It's a fairly nice board, I mean the msrp brand new was 250. It's not supposed to be a janky board. Aren't these things sealed at the factory? anyone know how long it would last without sealing it? Anyone still skating on their 3 or 4 yr old boards?

RC · Backside 180 Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 1033

Dudebro, Yes, its a LF therefore it is necessary. Nice board, nice shape, corporate company. They're infamous for being not being sealed correctly. The 2010 ones are falling apart like tissue in water. W/o sealing it, it could last 5 years, or 5 minutes. you never know unless you do it yourself Wink

Like i said, that's just what I would do if it were mine.

Evan71 · Posted: Jul 27, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject:

Dudebro, no its not necessary. Im sure there will be some wear and tear and all wood boards are going to turn to shizzle eventually. Just ride it, it will be fine. have fun